The Oscars...

Just a quick coco note... The Oscars this year seem to be celebrating the Way Too Serious...
We prefer Dreamgirls, Little Miss Sunshine, and of course.. the Devil Wears Prada! But alas, we are not the pros deciding what Americans need to watch..

The nominees for the 79th Academy Awards have been announced in Los Angeles.

Here is what some of the key nominees had to say about their selection.

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"2007 Oscar Nominations" Performance by an actress in a leading role

Penélope Cruz in “Volver” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Judi Dench in “Notes on a Scandal” (Fox Searchlight)
Helen Mirren in “The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)
Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” (20th Century Fox)
Kate Winslet in “Little Children” (New Line)

It is one of the hardest roles to play, not just a living person but one who is part of our everyday lives in Britain. I hope that my performance has conveyed a sense of Elizabeth the woman as well as the Queen.
Dame Helen Mirren, best actress nominee for The Queen.

I'm in frighteningly good company. It is very nice of The Queen to allow me in for a minute.
Dame Judi Dench, best actress nominee for Notes On A Scandal.

I am going to be screaming and whooping all day long. I really thought I wasn't going to get a nomination. I am really going to try to enjoy this moment. I'm speechless.
Kate Winslet, best actress nominee for Little Children

They said my name and it's like for a few seconds everything stopped. I was a little bit overwhelmed and confused. I wasn't sure what was going on.
Penelope Cruz, best actress nominee for Volver

"2007 Oscar Nominations" Performance by an actor in a leading role

Leonardo DiCaprio in “Blood Diamond” (Warner Bros.)
Ryan Gosling in “Half Nelson” (THINKFilm)
Peter O’Toole in “Venus” (Miramax, Filmfour and UK Council)
Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland” (Fox Searchlight)

Ryan Gosling, Best Actor nominee for his role in Half Nelson, said,

It's extremely encouraging to see a small film recognized at this level....I am truly grateful.

Peter O'Toole,nominated as Best Actor for Venus but has never before won a performing Oscar, expressed his feelings with:

Yoicks!.

Congratulations to all of the nominees," Will Smith,best actor for Pursuit of Happyness, said. "It is a great honor to be considered among this caliber of performers. No competition, all celebration. Let the parties begin.

I couldn't be happier, I couldn't be happier - this is a movie I am very, very proud of.
Leonardo DiCaprio, best actor nominee for Blood Diamond

We knew that we had something good when the Ugandans that were on the crew were all saying it felt like Idi Amin was speaking and I think that's part of the reason that we approached Forest Whitaker for the role. You know, he learnt Swahili, he was in character the whole time. But he was quite tough to be with some of the time.
Andrea Calderwood, producer of The Last King Of Scotland - which earned Forest Whitaker a best actor nomination.

"2007 Oscar Nominations" Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Alan Arkin in “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Jackie Earle Haley in “Little Children” (New Line)
Djimon Hounsou in “Blood Diamond” (Warner Bros.)
Eddie Murphy in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed” (Warner Bros.)

Without a doubt, receiving this nomination will stand out as one of the highlights of my career.
Eddie Murphy, supporting actor nominee for Dreamgirls.

Fellow nominee Alan Arkin, for his role in Little Miss Sunshine, said he'd remember the career high by the congratulatory calls from "old friends." We're just not sure how literal the 72-year-old was being.

"2007 Oscar Nominations" Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Adriana Barraza in “Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
Cate Blanchett in “Notes on a Scandal” (Fox Searchlight)
Abigail Breslin in “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Rinko Kikuchi in “Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)

Jennifer Hudson, who gained a reported 20 pounds to play scorned Dreamgirl Effie White took her nomination as "

proof that faith is powerful.

10-year-old Abigail Breslin said she "gave out a little scream" after her mother woke her up and informed her of her honor.

"2007 Oscar Nominations" Best motion picture of the year

“Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
“The Departed” (Warner Bros.)
“Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.)
“Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)

I'm amazed and thrilled and flattered. This is a tremendous honour for the film but panic sets in now because you think: 'Oh, my God. This is where the chaos is about to start'.
Stephen Frears, best director nominee for The Queen.

Celebration of the world cinematic community, and not only Mexican film-making - though there are eight Mexicans nominated and Babel has six nominations. That I am the first Mexican director nominated fills me with pride.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, best director nominee for Babel

It's obviously very thrilling, not just on a personal level but on a professional level. What's really wonderful about it is to be part of a film that dealt with these difficult events, and that cinema that deals with the contentious and difficult can have its place at the Oscar nominations.
Paul Greengrass, best director nominee for United 93

I think the Academy responded to the movie on an emotional level.
Jon Kilik, a producer of best picture nominee Babel.

If each one of them got nominated on their own, that would be great, but the fact that they all did - that's just too much for one little girl this early in the morning
Shortlist presenter Salma Hayek on a raft of nominations for Hispanic actors and Spanish-language films.

I was obviously rooting for the film and to be included in that is very exciting.
Stephen Mirrione, editing nominee for Babel.